Gainward 5600 ULTRA rev2 Golden Sample

[stardust]

After reading THW latest summary of the latest video cards, I again questioned my sanity in a hard decision between an even faster 5600ultra rev2 with VIVO over the obviously faster (but how much noticably faster?) Saphire 9800 non-pro without TV-in and about $40 more.

Would i regret saving the $40 for the gainward and staying with nvidia or should i take that leap of faith and switch to ATi for good?!

UT2k3:
reference 5600 U-136fps
gainward-140.2fps

AA/AF max:
reference 5600 U-61.5
gainward-69.4 (!!!!!!)

Please give reasonable remarks and facts for choosing either of the two.
If anyone sees the gainward card available for retail anywhere, please let me know!!!

 

[stardust]

bump

 

[Corporate Thug]

for a extra $40 i would get the 9800 NP as it will prolly double the performance

 

[Richdog]

Think about this logically, because I assume (no offence intended) that you havent yet. For a piddling $40 extra over the 5600 Ultra, youre getting a card that is twice as fast. Now let us presume the 5600 U costs $199-$250, for twice the performance you are not paying $400-$500 for the ATI 9800, you are paying a mere $40 more. Now which makes sense, considering factors like future up and coming games and future-proofing? Obviously the ATI 9800 is a no brainer, its like buying an average saloon car for $3000, and finding out that for $3500 you can have a corvette. Sorry to seem a little blunt in my answer here, but the answer seems painfully obvious, and the results speak for themselves... 🙂

 

[Pete]

GamePC has a review of that same Gainward, I think. A 9800 will crush it once you crank the settings. Also, Valve is currently recommending a 9800 over nVidia FX cards as the best card for HL2.

Also, I wouldn't trust a "review" that bases performance on three measly benchmarks, all of which aren't exactly perfect ATM. nV is being accused of cheating in UT2K3, Q3A is really too old to be useful anymore, and Gunmetal is too new and strange (PS1.1 + VS2.0?!) to be reliable. There are plenty of other reviews you can look to for better benchmarks. Try Firing-Squad as well.

 

[stardust]

Originally posted by: Richdog
Think about this logically, because I assume (no offence intended) that you havent yet. For a piddling $40 extra over the 5600 Ultra, youre getting a card that is twice as fast. Now let us presume the 5600 U costs $199-$250, for twice the performance you are not paying $400-$500 for the ATI 9800, you are paying a mere $40 more. Now which makes sense, considering factors like future up and coming games and future-proofing? Obviously the ATI 9800 is a no brainer, its like buying an average saloon car for $3000, and finding out that for $3500 you can have a corvette. Sorry to seem a little blunt in my answer here, but the answer seems painfully obvious, and the results speak for themselves... 🙂

do i see a video-in on the 9800np? actually i already HAVE a 9800np, which is in a second pc for a customer...im also ordering a 5800 for a customer but in the same timeframe i could benchmark it with the 9800np.
40 bucks is something i need to borrow 🙁. sad thing is i won't be able to keep the pc i have the 9800 for long..so yah thats why i posted this thread. The Gainward got me excited because it was even faster than the Rev2.

edit:

i had the ES of the PNY 5600U rev2 but i had to return it before i got the 9800np and they both go on different systems. I just really want video editing solutions without paying even as much as 60 bucks more for an external video encoder. The closest ATi counterpart is the AiW 9000 Pro.

 

[stardust]

Originally posted by: Pete
GamePC has a review of that same Gainward, I think. A 9800 will crush it once you crank the settings. Also, Valve is currently recommending a 9800 over nVidia FX cards as the best card for HL2.

Also, I wouldn't trust a "review" that bases performance on three measly benchmarks, all of which aren't exactly perfect ATM. nV is being accused of cheating in UT2K3, Q3A is really too old to be useful anymore, and Gunmetal is too new and strange (PS1.1 + VS2.0?!) to be reliable. There are plenty of other reviews you can look to for better benchmarks. Try Firing-Squad as well.

the review was to gauge rev2 vs gainward rev2. i was just impressed how the performance increased up to 30% more from the original non flip-chip 5600 ULTRA and felt a little pitty for nvidia. I talked to shady06, and i have decided to go for the 9800np. In the meantime i will be eating ramon noodles for a month =P to save money for a tv-encoder card LOL..

tips for survival would be greatly appreciated